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Syros meeting May 2018
Vasteras visit
Syros meeting
Syros meeting May 2018
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Mixed counseling groups
Who
Prevention Centre of Addictions of the Cyclades
Why
This practice comes from the field of prevention. It derives
from the belief that community is the institution which can
contribute in the most effective way to decrease the use of
psychodrastic substances.
Dealing with addictions is nowadays an important problem
which can keep youngsters marginalized and uninvolved. It is
clear that the available state mechanisms of control and relief
are insufficient, therefore highlighting the need for solid
multi-level prevention actions.This practice aims to give a new
perspective on prevention groups, and therefore contribute to
dealing with the broad problem of addictions.
What
In prevention counseling, the term �group� is usually
associated with specific population-targets. For each
population group, there is a particular framework training,
according to their needs and their role in society. However,
these population-targets coexist in real life, in the community,
at school, in the family.
Based on this simple remark, we wanted to discover common
points, where people trained by the prevention centre
(parents, educators, adolescents) could coexist in a mixed
group of volunteers, a mixed theatrical group.
The mixed theatrical group wrote scripts through drama
therapy approach and process work, for possible theatrical
plays.
During the 15 years of life of the theatrical group, certain
processes functioned within it, creating a new relationship
among parents, educators and adolescents. New principles,
values and dreams emerged, so that human relationships can
be more functional, especially when they are based on
communication and cooperation, through mutual expression
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and creativity within a theatrical group. By bringing people
together to act for the good of the community, volunteer
action creates bonds of trust and encourages cooperation; in
other words it creates social capital, creates a democratic
dialogue.
In case that the people who volunteer have different
nationalities, religions, financial standings and ages, the fact
of their acting together can contribute to an increase of social
harmony.
How
Preparation
A. ADOLESCENTS
The change of behaviour we expect to bring about has to
do with consciousness and inwardness of values. In other
words, through experiential methods we expect youngsters to
obtain information, dexterities (sentimental, cognitive and
behavioural) and the particular knowledge which will help
them understand the world, themselves and their real needs
better.
B. PARENTS GROUPS
Parents are called upon to become their children�s
life-trainers on how to organise their lives in a functional and
creative way and provide them with the emotion and support
they need. However, socialising does not have to do with two
persons. It needs groups and human space.
In this group, parents are substantially supported on their
parental role, the role of the family and their role as their
children�s life-trainers.
A series of sessions with experiential methods is followed,
so that parents can understand that �I am teaching my child
with the way that I live, not with the things I say, and I can
really help it when my life has a meaning�.
C. EDUCATORS GROUPS
Creating a positive climate in the school community
strengthens the resistance to the factors that lead to the use
or overuse of legal and illegal substances. Such a climate
encourages those conditions that promote the principles and
the values of prevention. Through experiential seminars,
educators are trained and supported concerning their
pedagogical and socialising role at school.
D. MIXED GROUPS - MIXED THEATRICAL GROUP
Through the training and coordination of these parents�,
educators� and adolescents� groups, a mixed theatrical group
of script writing was created in Syros in 2003-2004, with
trained parents, educators and adolescents, who wrote
through group processes the first theatrical play called �The
Slap�.
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The object of the coexistence in the mixed group was to
examine the difficulties in the communication among them
and possibly to outline those changes that would improve their
relations. All the above was stamped in a theatrical play. After
an incident given to the group (a slap from a teacher to a
pupil), the members of the mixed group started negotiating it
according to each one�s role. The process was based on
turning to account the small group, whose members would be
able to express feelings, ideas and thoughts.
The mixed theatrical group, after having submitted a
candidature folder for the European Juvenile Theatre Festival,
managed to be the only Greek entry in a meeting of 300
youngsters from 15 countries.
Training
The mixes group was trained in an experiential way on how to
interact through discussion and social theatre.
Based on the social theatre approach, we tried to receive
messages from the society, which �through group processesfinally
compose a play-suggestion presented to the society
again. Social theatre is a social action. Using the theatrical
action as a tool and the collective living of facts as a
pedagogical mechanism, it aims at spherical mental,
sentimental and body cultivation, development, maturity of
the group�s members and through their interaction at human
communication. The presentation of this work to the
community acts sensitises the audience, who may recognise
their own experiences, leading them to an inner discussion
and change of certain attitudes. It works as a space where the
community gathers, where citizens express their experience
and discuss about their dreams concerning the human and the
society, finding again the roots that connect it with ancient
drama and its function in the ancient city.(POLIS)
Effect/Assessment
In the field of Prevention, this subject could be interesting for
other social and youth workers in prevention centres and other
organisations or educational bodies, because it is a challenge
to find the meeting point of the three population-targets�
needs.
The above groupsproved to have worked creatively, making
up theatrical plays, festivals, walks etc. Through all these
actions, they have experienced a new way of relating with
each other, breaking the norms of the roles they have to play
together or separately, at school or in the family.
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The role of the mixed theatrical group was a catalyst which
reinforced every individual, who could afterwards face more
effectively the various complicated social needs and the
complexity of today�s societies, thus strengthening social
cohesion and participatory democracy.
When
The practice can be applied at any time in various types of
organisations and groups, such as youth centres and
prevention programmes, as well as existing theatre groups.
The coordinator must be familiar with group dynamics and
process work.
Resources
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